‘I Tried Tai Chi Walking—and Was Honestly Surprised by the Results' ...Saudi Arabia

After I tried Japanese walking, I thought I’d mastered all the buzzy walking workouts. But then my editor asked me a question: “Have you tried tai chi walking?” The blank look on my face said it all. I’d never even heard of it.To educate myself, I opened the encyclopedia of trendy wellness practices, also known as TikTok. There, I came across a helpful tutorial posted by Raymond Li, NASM, CPT, a personal trainer and tai chi teacher at Manhattan Tai Chi.“Tai chi walking is the foundation of tai chi practice. It is a slow, mindful way of moving that coordinates posture, breath, balance and intention,” Li told me when we connected later. “Unlike ordinary walking, every step in tai chi walking is deliberate: how the foot lands, how weight transfers, how the spine stays upright and relaxed and how the whole body moves as one connected unit rather than separate parts.”Slow and mindful? Clearly, tai chi walking isn’t about getting your steps in. I’m a fast walker by nature—a side effect of living in New York City for more than a decade. Doing anything slow doesn’t come naturally to me. Still, I was game to give tai chi walking a try. And honestly? It took me by surprise.Related: This Simple Walking Trick Can Improve Balance and Boost Longevity

U

Despite what some TikTok videos might have you believe, tai chi walking isn’t new. According to Li, it developed several hundred years ago as a martial art and internal cultivation practice.

“In classical training, walking drills were used to build stability, sensitivity, rootedness and efficient movement, as if you have another pair of eyes at the bottom of your feet," he says. "Also, imagine the old days when even pavements and streetlights were not common. People had to walk in the dark on uneven ground."

He explains that, over time, these walking methods were recognized for their therapeutic and health-preserving benefits and became a core part of tai chi as a wellness practice.

@taichiraynyc

Tai Chi Walking Teaching Clip #TaiChiForBeginners #LearnTaiChi #TaiChiMoves #TaiChiBasics

♬ original sound - Tai Chi Ray

Most people walk to either get from point A to point B or to get their heart rate up. Tai chi walking doesn’t really accomplish either, so what are the benefits of doing it?

“Practiced regularly, tai chi walking can improve balance, coordination, posture, joint mobility and leg strength,” Li says. 

Related: Not Into Running or Spin? Worry Not, Because the Simple Act of Taking a Walk Has Some Incredible Health Benefits

Scientific research backs this up. A 2021 scientific review in Medicine found that tai chi helped improve balance and posture in older adults with osteoarthritis. Another study found that tai chi helped reduce pain severely for older adults experiencing multisite pain and also reduced their fear of falling.  

“It encourages better circulation, smoother breathing and more efficient movement patterns,” Li says, sharing some other benefits of tai chi walking for seniors, or people of any age. “Many people also notice reduced muscle tension, better body awareness and improved stability in daily life. Because it is low-impact and sustainable, it’s something people can safely practice for many years.”

Besides these physical benefits, Li says that tai chi walking supports mental health too. “Tai chi walking naturally shifts attention into the present moment—into sensations of the feet, breath and body alignment. This can calm the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. The slow rhythm and continuous flow often create a meditative effect, helping people feel more grounded, centered and emotionally balanced over time,” he says.

?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?

How To Do Tai Chi Walking

Curious as to how exactly tai chi walking is done? In addition to Li’s TikTok that is shared above, the YouTube video below offers a great tutorial. In it, tai chi expert George Thompson shares that tai chi walking is a moving meditation done by rolling each foot slowly from heel to toe, with the big toe being the last to land. “The spine is nice and long and you’re not looking down at your feet,” he says.

Thompson recommends letting your body guide you. You can walk forward, backward, sideways…wherever you feel led. He says it may feel good to drive the knees up with each step or to do a leg lift, pointing the toes and extending the leg out.

“Start slow and keep it simple. There’s no need to rush or force anything. Focus on standing upright, relaxing the shoulders and feeling each step fully before moving to the next. It’s less about how far you walk and more about how you walk,” Li says, for what to keep in mind before trying tai chi walking for the first time.

Now that I knew the benefits of tai chi walking and how to do it, I was ready to give it a try.

Related: This One Change Will Make Your Walks Even More Effective, According to Personal Trainers

My Experience Trying Tai Chi Walking

I decided to try tai chi walking in my backyard. Full disclosure: I started by having my husband take a few photos of me trying tai chi walking, knowing I needed them for this article. But once I got what I needed, I sequestered him inside so I could get into the meditative spirit of it, which would have been hard for me to do with him watching and taking pictures.

To begin, I planted my feet flat on the ground and took a few deep breaths. I took in the sounds around me: the birds, the sound of someone using a leaf blower nearby and a train whistle in the distance. Then, I took my first few steps, consciously rolling my feet from heel to toe. After walking forward this way for a while, I incorporated some side steps. It occurred to me that I rarely move sideways and it felt good to move my body this way.

CEmily Laurence

I was surprised at how challenging it was to balance on one foot at times. This really does take coordination and focus! I started to really pay attention to what felt good. I extended one leg out at a time as I stepped, feeling a good stretch in my outer thighs and hips. I drove my knees up one at a time, which released some tension in my glutes. I was surprised at how good tai chi walking felt. It felt similar to stretching, something I definitely don’t do enough of. 

I do have to admit that I did feel a little self-conscious, hoping that none of my neighbors would walk by and wonder what I was doing. Sometimes I also struggled with figuring out how to move my body. I definitely could have benefited from working with an instructor, something Li recommends beginners do.

Overall, I equate tai chi walking with a meditative form of stretching. Especially if you spend the majority of the day sitting, going on a short tai chi walk can be a great reset for your mind and body. I can also see it being especially beneficial for older adults who want to improve their balance or incorporate more gentle movement into their day.

While I’m not sure if I’ll make tai chi walking a regular practice, I’m glad I tried it and would definitely be open to taking a tai chi class. That way, I can move with some helpful guidance. 

It also helped me to realize that walking doesn’t always have to be about calorie burn, heart rate or even getting to a destination. Sometimes, being in nature, taking some deep breaths and moving in a way that feels good is enough.

Up Next:

Related: Here’s Exactly What Your Walking Gait Can Tell You About Your Health

Sources:

Hence then, the article about i tried tai chi walking and was honestly surprised by the results was published today ( Friday 26/12/2025 - 06:57 PM ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘I Tried Tai Chi Walking—and Was Honestly Surprised by the Results' )

Also on site :

• Anycubic Opens Deposits for Kobra X, Following Formnext Debut of Its Next-Generation Entry-Level Multicolor FDM Printer
• Numbrix 9 - December 26
• Southern Water accused of ‘failure’ after burst pipe leaves homes without running water on Christmas Day